Sydney Knitting Nannas take action for the Great Koala National Park, Nannas researched, Yes volunteers proud but disappointed, and a big week ahead.
Great Koala National Park
Bob Brown Foundation vigil for Native Forests
Wednesday 11 October
Dancing in Martin Place was a lot of fun and the Nannas are planning to learn some new dance moves. Sue Higginson spoke about koala habitat destruction within the Great Koala National Park. https://twitter.com/i/status/1712356282928431474
Nannas sent a letter to Trish Doyle MP, Member for Blue Mountains in response to hers regarding the so called halt to timber harvesting in 106 koala hubs which she stated “cover more than 8,400 hectares of state forest and contain 42% of recorded koala sightings since 2000”. As has been extensively pointed out in the press, these 8,400 hectares represent only about 5% of the designated 170,000 hectares of State Forest within the park proposal.
Nannas Research
Meeting with Amy Sanders, researcher from Wales
Thursday 12 October, 10 – 2:30 at Customs House
Seven Nannas met with Amy Sanders a researcher from Wales at what is becoming Sydney Knitting Nannas HQ as pictured below. We were divided into two focus groups to discuss how we came to the Nannas, how climate activism has changed over time, the other groups in which we are or have been activists, the organisations Nannas work with, campaign strategies, and how technology has impacted our activism over time.
We were shocked to learn that the researchers hadn’t talked to any First Nations groups, and it didn’t appear to be part of their plan. We gave feedback that we didn’t think it was good enough. The project is a collaboration between Queensland University of Technology and the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and DATA (WISERD). In future we will check if researchers are consulting with First Nations people. Findings from the research will be shared with us. The project is funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council.
Volunteers for YES
Sydney Knitting Nannas are proud of their efforts to encourage the Yes vote and are disappointed with the result. It is so sad that a generous offer from First Nations People has become our Brexit/Trump moment.
We will continue to support First Nations actions to protect country and include First Nations issues on our agenda, including what we learnt during the Yes campaign.
Nannas at polling booths reported nasty, aggressive behaviour from No campaigners. They noted the rise in the level of public racism and aggression people now tolerate.
Conservative commentator Chris Kenny said the No campaign “has been about division, I think deceptively and dishonestly so”.
Legislation is needed to prohibit misleading or deceptive political advertising. Our democracy is under attack from misinformation and disinformation.
Big Week Coming Up
Wednesday 18 October: Rally against extension of Eraring Coalfired power station
Rally against NSW government subsidising the extension of Origin’s Eraring coal fired power station beyond 2025. Meeting at NSW Parliament at 9am then march to Origin’s AGM at the Shangri-La hotel near Circular Quay. If you are running late, go straight there. Speakers include: Jacqui Mumford – Nature Conservation Council, Professor Hespe – Healthy Futures, a School Striker, and representatives from Rewiring Australia and a Bushfire organisation – possibly Greg Mullins. Facebook Event
Same day: Wednesday 18 October: Bob Brown Foundation Vigil for Native Forests
Parliament House 12 noon. Dance moves are to be continued after the success at previous vigils. Facebook Events
Saturday 21 October: Picnic for Nature
Sydney Nannas are joining ParraCan, an environment group based in Parramatta, for this Nature Conservation Council initiative. We will meet at Caber Park in Winston Hills from 10 – 1.30pm
From the picnic Nannas will go to the Riverside Theatre to see The Visitors – starting at 2pm.
The Next Week
Thursday 26 October: Whitehaven Coal AGM
The Mint, Macquarie Street just down from Parliament House. Gather outside from 9am – the AGM starts at 10am.
Friday 27 October: Face to face Nanna meeting
Customs House 10am – 1pm. Singing practice followed by weekly meeting instead of Zoom meeting. Updated Songbook here. Please advise if you don’t have a printer.
Sunday 29 October: XR Sydney Zombie Walk: No people on a dead planet.
Meet at Sydney Town Hall at 10.45am – event starts at 11am. This pre-Halloween gathering of zombies and thriller dancers will be rowdy and creative. There will be lots of zombies and an opportunity to learn thriller dancing. A zombie walk will go to Hyde Park for a Food not Bombs picnic, stopping at intersections along the way. Nannas will sing at the Hyde Park picnic.
Forthcoming Big Events
Friday 17 November: School Strike for Climate, Sydney. Facebook Event and Register Here
Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 November: Takanya BioBlitz Waratah, Tasmania. Citizen science camping trip with Bob Brown Foundation. Bookings required.
Fri- Sun 24-26 November – Rising Tide blockade of Newcastle coal port. Book accommodation now
Saturday 2 December – Rally and march calling for climate action by COP28. More information here
Nannas are reading
A group of older Swiss women are taking their government to Europe’s top human rights court, claiming its failure to act on the climate crisis is violating their human rights. Go Swiss Nannas CNN
Nannas were very disappointed when the Federal Court dismissed two landmark climate cases against Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and two coal mining companies last Wednesday. Unless it is appealed, the judgment effectively clears the way for the Minister to ignore climate change in her risk assessment of all new coal and gas projects on her desk – of which there are 25. Environmental Justice Australia and the full judgement.
FEDERAL COURT ruling that massive new coal mines can go ahead under Australia’s national environment law cements the case for its urgent overhaul. Climate Council
The Government says it is simply following the law in giving fossil fuel projects the green light. That excuse doesn’t fly when it has the power to change it. Or stop approval until it is changed.